VOL. XXXII NO. XI ROCKY HILL, NEW JERSEY JANUARY 2002

The Rocky Hill Gazette welcomes your comments and will publish items of social, civic and governmental interest to our readers. News articles and letters may be sent to The Rocky Hill Gazette, 29 Toth Lane, Rocky Hill, NJ 08553. We will endeavor to print all items as received; however, limitations of space on occasion may require some editing on our part. The deadline for the February issue is Monday, February 18, 2002. Since it is our policy that The Rocky Hill Gazette be non-profit, we are happy to accept your sponsorship of $50.00 or contribution in any amount up to the limit of our printing costs. Individuals living outside of Rocky Hill who wish a copy may send us a supply of stamped, self-addressed, business-size envelopes, and we will be happy to mail the paper to them. Visit The Rocky Hill Gazette online at: www.rockyhillgazette.com

This month’s issue is sponsored by

AMBOY NATIONAL BANK

EMERGENCY - POLICE * FIRE * MEDICAL 911

Police Non-Emergency - (609) 882-7999

Borough Hall 924-7445 Thursday 9-11 am - Animal Control (732) 329-4000 Day; (732) 329-4646 Night/Weekend

GAZETTE CALENDAR

JANUARY

21 Monday Martin Luther King Day - Montgomery Schools and Library Closed

Al-Anon Family Groups - First Reformed Church, 10 AM (every Monday)

22 Tuesday Toddler Stories (ages 2 & 3) - Library, 10:30 AM (also Feb. 5, 19) *

Kids Only (grades K - 2) - Library, 4 PM (also Jan. 29, Feb. 5, 19, 26)*

Alcoholics Anonymous - First Reformed Church, 12 Noon (every Tuesday)

Borough Council - Schoolhouse, 7:30 PM

23 Wednesday Toddler Sing (ages 1 - 3) - Library, 10:30 AM (also Jan. 30, Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27) *

Stories (ages 4 & 5) - Library, 1:30 PM (also Jan. 30 Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27) *

Chess (grades 2 - 8) - Library, 4:30 PM (also Jan. 30 Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27 ) *

School Board - Schoolhouse, 7 PM (also Feb. 27)

24 Thursday Toddler Sing (ages 1 - 3) - Library, 10:30 AM (also Jan. 31, Feb. 7, 14, 21,28) *

Al-Anon Family Groups - First Reformed Church, 8 PM (every Thursday)

Municipal Court - Schoolhouse, 7:30 PM

25 Friday Recycling - curbside 7 AM (also Feb. 8, 22)

Alcoholics Anonymous - First Reformed Church, 8:30 PM (every Friday)

27 Sunday Alcoholics Anonymous - First Reformed Church, 7:30 PM (every Sunday)

29 Tuesday Toddler Crafts (ages 2 & 3) - Library, 10:30 AM & 11 AM(also Feb. 26) *

30 Wednesday Board of Health – Schoolhouse, 7 PM (tentative)

31 Thursday Book Rap (grades 5 - 8) - Library, 4:30 PM (also Feb. 14) *

FEBRUARY

4 Monday Borough Council - Schoolhouse, 7:30 PM

Chess (grades 2 - 8) - Library, 4:30 PM (also) Feb. 11, 25*

Story, Craft & Movement (ages 4 & 6) - Library, 10:30 AM (also Feb. 11, 25) *

6 Wednesday 76’ers Senior Citizens - Trinity Church, 11 AM

8 Friday LaLeche League of Montgomery - Library, 10 AM

9 Saturday Valentine Origami (ages 7 – adult) – Library, 10:30 AM *

10 Sunday RHCG Valentine Potluck Dinner – See flyer

12 Tuesday Lincoln’s Birthday (actual) – Library closed

Planning Board - Schoolhouse, 7:30 PM

13 Wednesday Ash Wednesday Service – Trinity Church, 10:30 AM

14 Thursday Montgomery Schools Closed (also Feb. 15,18)

18 Monday Presidents Day – Library Closed

19 Tuesday Gazette Editorial Meeting - Library, 7:30 PM

Borough Council - Schoolhouse, 7:30 PM

Open Chess Night (all ages) – Library, 5:30 – 7:30 PM *

22 Friday Washington’s Birthday (actual)

23 Saturday Toddler Sing (ages 1 - 3) - Library, 10:30 AM *

Soup Dinner – Firehouse, 5 PM – 8 PM

24 Sunday Organ & Voice Recital – First Reformed Church, 4 PM

26 Tuesday Adult Book Discussion – Library, 7:30 PM

* PLEASE REGISTER

GAZETTE

Policy – If your organization wishes to include a flyer with an issue of the Gazette call Doris Hartmann (921-9217) for OK and then you must notify Grace Engelbrecht (921-6602) prior to deadline for that issue. You should also offer to assist in collating that issue of the Gazette.

The Gazette will print no anonymous letters sent to it. Your letter must be signed and include your telephone number. The Gazette reserves the right to edit letters where necessary and prints only advertisements from children and senior citizens.

Need – Reporters and substitute reporters, substitute deliverers of the Gazette and a Secretary. Call Doris Hartmann (921-9217) or Gloria Mack (921-7929).

LIST OF ROCKY HILL OFFICIALS – Please save attached list for reference during 2002.

BOROUGH COUNCIL - 12/17/01

Absent: R. Batchelder

Chad Lebo is a new member of the Fire Company and Rescue squad.

Trap Rock donated $7,150 to the Tricentennial which was used to cover expenses for the entertainment.

Council members will meet with the Rocky Hill Fire Company trustees to discuss their needs. There is a question as to whether they want to proceed with a large renovation or consider building a new firehouse. Another issue is the time line for purchasing a second truck.

Concerning the development of recreation facilities on the Schafer tract, three entrances have been suggested. Rocky Hill’s order of preference are; 1) Wall Street; 2) Young Drive or from the Grand Union parking lot; 3) Princeton Avenue. The entrance will decide the layout of the facility The area is expected to be planned for adult passive recreation and not to be used for organized sports.

BOROUGH COUNCIL 1/7/02

At the reorganization meeting, the Council announced and approved the new appointments for 2002 (a complete list is attached). Council members R. Batchelder and M. Engel- brecht were sworn in until 12/31/04; A. Robotti was elected as Council President.

Mayor Nolan highlighted the accomplishments for 2001, citing the highlight of the Tricentennial Celebration, keeping taxes at the same rate and the completion of the Nextel wireless installation on the Rocky Hill water tower.

At the conclusion of the reorganization meeting, the Council conducted its regular meeting. Dave Staph, Borough Engineer, said that work on Merritt Lane to install the new water main was set to begin. He also submitted proposals for the downtown Rocky Hill lighting project. Council will review these proposals and determine if they are affordable for the community.

The State reviewed the Rocky Hill Nursery School and determined there is not enough mulch on the playground.

A. Querec, the Rocky Hill Fire Chief, presented a list of new officers for the fire company. He also discussed prelim- inary plans for the 100th birthday anniversary to be held on 8/17/02.

Residents are concerned that PSE&G will do directional tree trimming around the power lines. In the past, trees were cut back too severely. Council will contact PSE&G and express these concerns.

PLANNING BOARD – 12/11/02

Absent: Pihokken.

Board Planner Susan Kimball presented the revised Master Plan which restricts commercial development in favor of offices and not retail stores and seeks to expand the village center green belt. During public questions, Ms. Kimball and the Board explained that the plan cannot ban or dictate development, but is intended to guide it. Knoll Way residents raised particular concern about increased traffic on their streets and noise from the park planned for part of the Schafer tract. The new plan passed unanimously.

Peter Morgan presented his amended application to convert Lyric Hall at 10 Princeton Avenue into offices for his architectural practice. The Board had questions about lighting, landscaping and other details.

PLANNING BOARD - 1/8/02

Absent: Harris, Muser, Pihokken

Susan Bristol was elected Chairperson. Connie Greiff, who will become Vice-chair, was thanked by Mayor Brian Nolan on behalf of the community for her long service as Chairperson.

Gerald Muller was retained as Board Attorney and Kimball & Kimball as Planners.

Outerbridge/Morgan received approval to convert Lyric Hall at 10 Princeton Avenue into architectural offices. Revisions to its plans for parking lot lighting and a handicapped-access ramp will be reviewed by the sub-committee.

Board Attorney Muller has received a request from an attorney representing Brad and Peggy Merritt that they be allowed to put new siding on the outbuilding on their property in the historic district. Mr. Muller was instructed to reply that a buildout of the window frames as originally required by the Board will still be necessary.

BOARD OF HEALTH

No report.

SCHOOL BOARD

No report.

FIRST REFORMED CHURCH OF ROCKY HILL

On Sunday, Feb. 24th, the Church organist will give a recital at 4 PM at the Church. Everyone is welcome.

FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS

A daughter was born to Jonathon and Corinne March of Crescent Avenue on December 4th.

Lillian Schlapfer Brobst died on December 19th. She had been born in Rocky Hill and was a lifelong area resident. She was a member of the Rocky Hill Reformed Church. Our deepest sympathy is expressed to her family.

MARY JACOBS LIBRARY

More than $1.9 million has been raised in pledges toward the $2.3 million for the Library expansion. A $50,000 challenge grant from an anonymous foundation will be given to the Library if a matching $50,000 in donations and pledges can be raised by June. This grant will be used to make possible a much enlarged and improved community meeting room, to be named in honor of Bill Fallon.

Donations may be sent to the Mary Jacobs Library, 64 Washington Street, Rocky Hill, 08553. The Library will soon be sending a mailing to all of its patrons and would welcome help with preparing the mailing. Please call 924-7073 if you would like to help stuff envelopes!